Colorado

[Mtn Margie]

I asked this question before, but didn't get a straight answer, so here goes...

I have been reading the pros and cons of sand and deep litter the last several months, and am curious if anyone in the Pueblo West / Canon City areas (or other areas with high winds) uses sand inside the coop? What impact (if any) do the winds have on the sand?

I would imagine both will work equally well. It would just be a personal preference decision. Go with what is easiest first and try the other way next winter and then choose which one works best for you. The wind will only be a factor when the door is opened or if your chicken door faces into the wind. (most times anyway).

annav410 - that coop is looking very nice!
Welcome to all of the Newbies! I think it is great that you are learning chicken math 101.

 

[Pozees]

Very nice!

X2!

 

[Pozees]

I would imagine both will work equally well. It would just be a personal preference decision. Go with what is easiest first and try the other way next winter and then choose which one works best for you. The wind will only be a factor when the door is opened or if your chicken door faces into the wind. (most times anyway).

annav410 - that coop is looking very nice!
Welcome to all of the Newbies! I think it is great that you are learning chicken math 101.

LOL next comes chicken multiplication - chicken math 201

We have talked about sand in the runs, but not in the coop, still will use DL in there, but yes the wind will blow either around. I have my doors and windows facing North and South because the wind is almost always out of the East and West here. Stuff will blow around, but inside the coop it isn't much unless I have the human access door open to collect eggs or clean. If I put sand in the runs I'll probably have to put some kind of barrier along the bottom foot to try and keep as much as possible in place.

 

[jenhenny]

Hi everyone! I get my chicks today (so exciting!) and have everything all set up and ready to go. I have acv to add to their water but I thought I remember reading here about molasses in the chicks water. Am I making this up or do you add a tbsp of molasses to a gallon waterer for new chicks?
Thanks all!

 

[Ashdoes]

Hi everyone! I get my chicks today (so exciting!) and have everything all set up and ready to go. I have acv to add to their water but I thought I remember reading here about molasses in the chicks water. Am I making this up or do you add a tbsp of molasses to a gallon waterer for new chicks?
Thanks all!

I believe it was Wendell that recommended it for prevention of pasty butt.

 

[samsr]

Hi everyone! I get my chicks today (so exciting!) and have everything all set up and ready to go. I have acv to add to their water but I thought I remember reading here about molasses in the chicks water. Am I making this up or do you add a tbsp of molasses to a gallon waterer for new chicks?
Thanks all!

Yes. You can put molasis in the water also. It is good for their digestive system as well as a boost of energy from the trip through the mail. Welcome to raising chickens. It is a fun hobby with rewards you cant imagine at the moment. Sure is a lot of fun also.

 

[Dnetschke]

Hi everyone! I get my chicks today (so exciting!) and have everything all set up and ready to go. I have acv to add to their water but I thought I remember reading here about molasses in the chicks water. Am I making this up or do you add a tbsp of molasses to a gallon waterer for new chicks?
Thanks all!

I put a tsp. into their little water dispenser along with electrolite mix and it works. If i see any other stool issues, I'll give them plain greek yogurt with chick starter mixed in. They're not to excited about it at first, but then it turn seriously funny watching them fight over it.

 

[wsmith]

Hi everyone! I get my chicks today (so exciting!) and have everything all set up and ready to go. I have acv to add to their water but I thought I remember reading here about molasses in the chicks water. Am I making this up or do you add a tbsp of molasses to a gallon waterer for new chicks?
Thanks all!

very exciting. Yesterday Beth and the girls spent a couple of hours watching the new turkey poults run around in the brooder. Getting new chicks is always fun. Congrats.

I always add molasses to my chicks' water, and for me at least, seems to help with vigor and pasty butt.

 

[FrogEggs]

Hi everyone! I get my chicks today (so exciting!) and have everything all set up and ready to go. I have acv to add to their water but I thought I remember reading here about molasses in the chicks water. Am I making this up or do you add a tbsp of molasses to a gallon waterer for new chicks?
Thanks all!

SO happy for you! Mine arrive in 2-3 weeks, and it is all I can do not to impulse buy more while I impatiently wait (perhaps why hubby waited until yesterday to start the coop.... so I don't fill it before my chick order arrives)


THANK YOU ALL for responding about the sand. Still not usre which way I will go, but nice to know I don't have to rule that out!

 

[Kitty990]

chickens love sand, they use it for a dirt bath. it is to help them with mite und lice. if the sand is in the shade they love nesting in it too. any time i let the girls in the yard I'll find them in the loose sand next to the (com-pos) after the walked around for a bit und want to rest. if you dont do sand i the whole run area make sure they have a sand box to play in.

jenhenny, ich happy for you. gut luck with your fist flock.